Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has voiced his growing concerns over the club’s prolonged pursuit of Brentford attacker Bryan Mbeumo, warning that a continued delay could lead to major embarrassment.
Despite already landing Matheus Cunha from Wolves for £62.5 million, the pace of United’s summer transfer dealings has been noticeably slow.
Their drawn-out negotiations for Mbeumo have especially drawn attention, with Ferdinand now calling on the club to either finalize the deal quickly or turn to other options before the window shuts.
The Red Devils have reportedly been tracking Mbeumo for weeks and have tabled multiple bids, but none have satisfied Brentford, who are believed to be increasing their demands as talks drag on.
While United remain determined to get the deal done, the lack of a breakthrough is becoming a concern, particularly for new manager Rúben Amorim, who sees Mbeumo as a potential key player in his tactical setup.
Speaking on his Rio Ferdinand Presents YouTube channel, the former defender didn’t hold back his frustration. “Manchester United need to meet Brentford’s valuation somehow.
It’s been dragging on too long,” Ferdinand said. “If we get to the end of the transfer window and this deal falls through, it’ll be an egg-on-the-face moment for United unless they quickly bring in someone else.”
Ferdinand also pointed out that there haven’t been strong alternative targets linked with the club, raising the possibility that United could be left scrambling if the Mbeumo deal collapses.
He continued to emphasize that Mbeumo fits the profile the club needs: he’s dynamic, experienced in the Premier League, and brings goals and energy to the pitch—qualities that would complement Amorim’s preferred 3-4-2-1 system.
The 24-year-old Cameroon international had a solid season last year, scoring 9 goals and contributing 6 assists, playing a vital role for Brentford, especially during Ivan Toney’s absence.
His pace and left-footed threat from the right would offer something different alongside Cunha and new signing Joshua Zirkzee.
However, should United fail to secure his signature, it might not just be an embarrassment—it could have deeper tactical consequences.
For instance, Amad Diallo, who made a strong impression last season, might be pushed further back into a right wing-back role to accommodate Mbeumo, which could restrict his attacking influence.
Meanwhile, relying on young talents like Shea Lacey or Bendito Mantato might be a gamble Amorim isn’t ready to take in what could be a make-or-break season for United.
In the bigger picture, the Mbeumo situation is shaping up as an early litmus test for United’s new leadership under Amorim and the INEOS-backed structure.
With time running out, the club must act decisively—either wrap up the Mbeumo deal or pivot smartly.
Failure to do either would reflect poorly on their ambitions and preparation for the new campaign.
